Vanicream Moisturizing Skin Cream by Pharmaceutical Specialties is sold across 2 regions: Canada, United States. 22 ingredient occurrences are shared across regions, 0 appear under different names or aliases, and 0 are unique to a single region.
Category: Antioxidants (synthetic)
Also known as: BHA Antioxidant, Butylated Hydroxyanisole, E320, tert-Butyl-4-methoxyphenol
Butylated Hydroxyanisole, a synthetic antioxidant used to prevent oxidative rancidity in foods and cosmetics. Widely used in fats, oils, and personal care products at trace levels to extend shelf life.
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Category: Emulsifiers (synthetic)
Also known as: Ceteareth-20
An ethoxylated mixture of cetyl and stearyl alcohols. Used as an emulsifier to blend water and oil phases in lotions and creams.
Category: Emulsifiers (naturally derived)
Also known as: C16-C18 Fatty Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetostearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl/Stearyl Alcohol Blend
Cetearyl Alcohol (Cetostearyl Alcohol) is a synthetic or naturally derived mixture of two long-chain fatty alcohols — cetyl alcohol (C16; 1-hexadecanol) and stearyl alcohol (C18; 1-octadecanol) — typically in roughly equal proportions, but ratios vary by supplier and grade. It is one of the most widely used cosmetic emulsifiers and emollients globally, providing the characteristic creamy, opaque, smooth texture to oil-in-water emulsions. Cetearyl Alcohol appears in moisturizers, conditioners, hair masks, body lotions, sunscreens, foundations, primers, baby products, depilatory creams, sheet-mask serums, and pharmaceutical creams. It functions as an emulsion stabilizer, viscosity modifier, opacifier, emollient, and surfactant — softening the skin, thickening formulations, and stabilizing the interface between water and oil phases. Like other long-chain fatty alcohols, despite the name "alcohol," it does NOT cause skin dryness or irritation associated with short-chain alcohols (ethanol, isopropanol). The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel concluded Cetearyl Alcohol is safe as used in cosmetics under current practices. CosIng-listed under EU Cosmetic Products Regulation (EC) 1223/2009 with functions: emollient, emulsion stabilizer, opacifier, surfactant, viscosity-controlling. EWG Skin Deep rates Cetearyl Alcohol at low hazard level (1). Permitted globally without significant restrictions. Modern production uses plant-derived feedstocks (palm or coconut oil); some grades are certified vegan and palm-free. CAS 8005-44-5 (mixture).
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Category: Emulsifiers (synthetic)
Also known as: E471, GMS, Glycerol Monostearate, Glyceryl Monostearate, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Mono- and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids
Glyceryl Stearate (glyceryl monostearate, GMS; CAS 31566-31-1) is a mono-ester of glycerin and stearic acid, manufactured industrially by esterification of stearic acid with glycerol. It is one of the most widely used non-ionic emulsifiers and thickeners in cosmetics and personal-care products, providing a smooth, creamy, opaque texture and stable oil-in-water emulsions. It appears in moisturizers, lotions, creams, conditioners, body butters, sunscreens, baby products, hair masks, makeup foundations, primers, and pharmaceutical ointments. Its emulsifying function helps blend water and oil phases, stabilize formulas against separation, improve spreadability, and enhance skin softness. Glyceryl Stearate is also FDA-permitted as a direct food additive (E471, mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids) under 21 CFR 184.1505 — used in baked goods, margarines, ice cream, and processed foods. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel concluded that Glyceryl Stearate (and its self-emulsifying variant Glyceryl Stearate SE) is safe as used in cosmetics. CosIng-listed under EU Cosmetic Products Regulation (EC) 1223/2009 with functions: emulsifier, emollient, skin-conditioning. EFSA approved as food additive E471. Permitted globally with no significant restrictions. Mostly produced from synthetically processed plant-derived feedstocks (palm or coconut oil). CAS 31566-31-1.
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Category: Oils (synthetic)
Also known as: Petroleum Jelly, Vaseline Jelly, White Petrolatum
A semi-solid mixture of hydrocarbons purified from petroleum, used as an occlusive emollient. Forms a protective barrier on skin to lock in moisture; FDA-approved skin protectant.
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Category: Humectants (synthetic)
A small diol used as a humectant, solvent, and penetration enhancer. Helps other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively.
Category: Preservatives (synthetic)
Also known as: (E,E)-Sorbic Acid, 2,4-Hexadienoic Acid, E200, Hexa-2,4-Dienoic Acid, Trans,trans-2,4-Hexadienoic Acid
Sorbic acid is a naturally occurring polyunsaturated fatty acid (2,4-hexadienoic acid, formula C6H8O2) first isolated from the unripe berries of the rowan tree (Sorbus aucuparia) by August Hofmann in 1859, from which it takes its name. Modern commercial sorbic acid is manufactured synthetically by the condensation of crotonaldehyde with ketene, yielding a white, faintly tart-tasting crystalline powder with low water solubility. It is one of the most widely used preservatives globally and is broadly active against yeasts, molds, and many bacteria, with optimal activity in mildly acidic environments (pH below 6.5 — most effective below 4.5). In foods it functions as a preservative at 0.025–0.2% in cheeses, baked goods, fillings, dried meats, dried fruits, wines, jams, jellies, syrups, pickles, salad dressings, and beverages — often replacing more soluble salt forms (potassium sorbate, calcium sorbate) when oil-phase incorporation is needed. The FDA affirms sorbic acid as GRAS under 21 CFR 182.3089, and the EU permits it as additive E200 with category-specific maximum-use levels under Reg. 1333/2008. EFSA's 2015 re-evaluation set a group Acceptable Daily Intake of 11 mg/kg body weight per day for sorbates (sorbic acid + potassium sorbate + calcium sorbate combined). It is metabolized like other fatty acids and is well tolerated; rare cases of contact urticaria are reported in cosmetic exposure.
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Category: Sweeteners (synthetic)
Also known as: D-Glucitol, D-Sorbitol, E420, Glucitol, Sorbitol Syrup, Sorbol
Sorbitol is a six-carbon sugar alcohol (polyol, D-glucitol, formula C6H14O6) that occurs naturally in apples, pears, peaches, plums, and many other stone fruits. Commercial sorbitol is manufactured by catalytic hydrogenation of glucose syrup derived from corn starch, yielding either a crystalline powder or a 70% aqueous solution (sorbitol syrup). It is about 60% as sweet as sucrose, contributes 2.6 kcal/g (vs sucrose's 4 kcal/g), has a glycemic index of only 9, and produces a cooling sensation in the mouth from its negative heat of solution — properties that make it valuable as a reduced-calorie sweetener, humectant, bulking agent, and texturizer. In foods it appears in sugar-free chewing gum, hard candies, mints, frozen desserts, baked goods, and diabetic products. In personal-care and pharma it functions as a humectant in toothpastes (preventing drying), a vehicle in cough syrups, and a tablet excipient. The FDA affirms sorbitol as GRAS under 21 CFR 184.1835 with use-level limits by food category, and the EU permits it as additive E420 at quantum satis under Reg. 1333/2008. Foods containing >10% sorbitol must carry a "Excessive consumption may have a laxative effect" warning in the EU and US; intakes above 50 g/day commonly cause gas, bloating, and diarrhea via osmotic effects.
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Category: Base Ingredients (naturally derived)
Also known as: Aqua, Aqua/Water, Aqua/Water/Eau, Carbonated Water, Filtered Water, Purified Water, Treated Water
Purified water used as the primary solvent and carrier in cosmetic formulations. Also listed as Aqua in INCI nomenclature.